Leinster will be keen to record a victory in their penultimate home fixture of the season against the Neath/Swansea Osprey's this Friday. The team selection duly reflects Gary Ella's intent.
It will be the first time since their victory over Ulster on January 2nd that fans will see a side close to full strength at Donnybrook. The nine internationals are expected to draw a substantial crowd.
Despite a 30-point drubbing at the hands of Llanelli a fortnight ago, Ella has resisted temptation to overhaul his line-up, yet some notable changes have been made. Gordon D'Arcy returns to his once accustomed position of the wing, Victor Costello is moved back to number eight, while David Quinlan gets the nod over Shane Horgan at inside centre.
"Dave Quinlan has been on the bench a lot this season. He is a quality player and deserves a run with the senior players," said Ella. "Part of the reason Gordon (D'Arcy) is switched to the wing is to give Dave his chance."
Several milestones will be reached on Friday night. Victor Costello will make his 100th appearance in a Leinster shirt, while Peter Coyle and Brian O'Driscoll reach the 50-cap milestone while Girvan Dempsey and Brian O'Meara earn their 70th caps.
Eric Miller is back in training but has not regained the fitness levels to be considered this week.
Meanwhile, Ulster's outgoing coach Alan Solomons has made six changes, one positional, to his the side to face Borders in Netherdale, also on Friday evening. Shane Stewart, Tyrone Howe and Neil Doak return to the back line. Up front Rod Moore comes in at loose head prop allowing Simon Best to move to his more familiar tight head role. Neil Best replaces Neil McMillan at openside.
Munster will have to make do without Ronan O'Gara (hamstring), David Wallace (chicken pox), John Hayes, Anthony Foley and Peter Stringer for their trip to Cardiff.
Connacht will not name their starting 15 for Saturday's match against Gwent Dragons until at least tonight.
Dave Hewitt and Wayne Munn (back), who both went off injured against Harlequins, are unlikely to start.
ULSTER (v The Borders): B Cunningham; S Young, S Stewart, P Steinmetz, T Howe, D Humphrey's, N Doak, S Best, M Sexton, R Moore, G Longwell, R Frost, A Ward (capt), N Best, R Wilson. Replacements: P Shields, R McCormack, T Barker, N McMillan, K Campbell, P Wallace, T Bowe.
LEINSTER (v Neath/Swansea Ospreys): G Dempsey; G D'Arcy, B O'Driscoll, D Quinlan, B Burke; F Contepomi, B O'Meara; R Corrigan (capt), S Byrne, P Coyle; M O'Kelly, B Gissing; D Dillon, N Ronan, V Costello. Replacements: E Byrne, G Hickie, L Cullen, A McCullen, S Horgan, J McWeeney.
